Question:

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.

The Yoga system is divided into two principal parts, Hatha and Raja Yoga. Hatha Yoga deals principally with the physiological part of man with a view to establish his health and train his will. The processes prescribed to arrive at this end are so difficult that only a few resolute souls go through all the stages of its practice. Many have failed and some have died in the attempt. It is therefore strongly denounced by all the philosophers. The most illustrious Shankaracharya has remarked in his treatise called Aparokshanubhuti that 'the system of Hatha Yoga was intended for those whose worldly desires are not pacified or uprooted.'

Which of the following options best reflects Shankaracharya's comments on Hatha Yoga?

Show Hint

Match the option to Shankaracharya's exact quoted line, not to the passage's general remarks about failure.
Updated On: Jul 10, 2026
  • Hatha Yoga is for those whose worldly desires are not placated.
  • Hatha Yoga has disastrous consequences for Yoga practitioners.
  • Practiced under the guidance of experts, Hatha Yoga is better than Raja Yoga for some people.
  • Raja Yoga gives better results and in a shorter time period for most people, and therefore it should be encouraged.
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The question asks specifically for Shankaracharya's own comment, quoted directly in the passage, that the system of Hatha Yoga was intended for those whose worldly desires are not pacified or uprooted. We need the option that restates this idea, not a general fact mentioned elsewhere in the passage.

  1. Hatha Yoga is for those whose worldly desires are not placated: Placated means calmed or satisfied, the same idea as pacified in the quote. This restates Shankaracharya's comment almost word for word, Hatha Yoga is meant for people whose worldly desires have not yet been calmed.
  2. Hatha Yoga has disastrous consequences for Yoga practitioners: The passage does mention that some practitioners failed or died, but that observation comes from the passage in general, before Shankaracharya's quote, not from Shankaracharya's own comment.
  3. Practiced under the guidance of experts, Hatha Yoga is better than Raja Yoga for some people: Nothing in the passage or the quote compares Hatha Yoga favourably to Raja Yoga, and expert guidance is never mentioned.
  4. Raja Yoga gives better results and in a shorter time period for most people, and therefore it should be encouraged: This is an opinion about Raja Yoga's superiority and speed that the passage never states and that Shankaracharya never says.

Only option 1 matches Shankaracharya's actual quoted words, that Hatha Yoga suits people whose worldly desires are not yet calmed, so option 1 is correct.

Let's summarize:

  • When a question asks for a specific person's comment, match the option to their exact quoted words, not to other facts in the passage.
  • Placated and pacified carry the same meaning here, calmed or satisfied.

Shankaracharya's comment is best reflected by option 1, Hatha Yoga is for those whose worldly desires are not placated.

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